Karamoja Youth Agenda: On issues of Government Response and topical issues in Karamoja sub-region from January 2023 (12.05.2023)

Opinion: Speaker Among cannot save face…

““If there was any diversion, it is not anybody’s fault, I saw iron sheets in Bukedea, I didn’t ask for them, but I ordered that they should be given to schools innocently. I didn’t open a shop to sell them, but they were given to government schools.” Among told Parliament last month. While chairing Wednesday’s plenary, Among told Parliament that she had decided to purchase 500 iron sheets and return them to the OPM to clear her name out of accusations that she had diverted the iron sheets meant for Karamoja’s vulnerable people. “l don’t want to be accused of grabbing iron sheets meant for the vulnerable people of Karamoja.” Among said” (Samuel Muhimba – ‘Among buys 500 iron sheets for OPM to save ‘innocent’ face’ 15.03.2023, Nilepost.co.ug).

The Speaker can all “innocent” she wants to try to save face. Speaker Anita Among is amongst a “den of thieves”. They did divert funds and equipment meant for the hungry, the poor and the ones in need in the Karamoja sub-region. Instead of going where it should be… it ended up elsewhere and some of that ended up in the hands of the speaker. She is just like the rest of them.

Speaker Among can act holier than thou, but she should apologize and “carry the cross”. This is her burden to bear. She accepted the iron sheets and took them when it was done in secret. However, when the reality hit public, and the scandal was official. She wanted to clean her hands of the dirt and come clean. Nevertheless, that is not how the story goes and she cannot reimburse what she has already stolen.

A chicken thief must answer for the stolen chicken. The speaker has to answer for the iron-sheets. The chicken thief will face the penalty and the punishment for taking the chicken. The same should happen to the speaker, the ministers and everyone involved in the iron sheet scandal of Karamoja. It should happen, but I wouldn’t count on it. The difference between them and the chicken thief. Is that the Chicken Thief has no suction, no power or influence, but the thieves in this saga does…

She knows she will face no consequences and what her master knows is that she’s corruptible. Meaning that her master can wave some monies or golden tickets her way. When doing so, she will do whatever he pleases and get his way in Parliament. That’s why she will face no trouble, no legal jeopardy or even taste “justice”. No, the chicken thief will linger in prison and face severe time in prison. While the Speaker can steal and take from the state with no further consequences or ramifications to her career. No, it doesn’t cost her anything…

Speaker Among can try to save face, but it’s pointless. She still stole and took unjustifiably so. The iron sheets wasn’t hers to begin with. Just like the others who took from the “aid” to Karamoja. All of them are thieves and they should accept that. Thieving is thieving no matter how you put it. It wasn’t even that sophisticated or a strategic measure to siphon funds from government accounts either. It was just blatant theft of government property to personal use. That’s it… and the Speaker cannot be run away from that now. Peace.

Karamoja Affairs: The minister made it a family business to loot the government…

“However, during a recent sting operation by officers of the State House Anti-Corruption Unit, the mother, brother and nephew of Karamoja Affairs minister Goretti Kitutu were allegedly found selling OPM branded iron sheets to residents of Namisindwa District. They were briefly detained and later freed” (…) “According to the notice, Dr Kituutu is accused of failing to deliver iron sheets and other supplies meant for Karamoja to support the ongoing disarmament exercise and the diversion of some items. These, the MPs say, constitute the offence of mismanagement and abuse of office or willful violation of oath of allegiance or oath of office, which are grounds provided in Article 118 of the Constitution for censure of a minister. The MPs further accuse the minister of misusing Shs25b meant for the procurement of goats to be distributed across the region, as well as picking 500 bags of maize seeds from Namalu Prison Stores, under the Feed Karamoja Project out of 200 bags were allegedly found in her house” (Emmanuel Muitaizibwa & William Kintu – ‘OPM in fresh Shs25b goat scandal’ 27.02.2023).

Hon. Mary Goretti Kitutu, the Minister for Karamoja Affairs is in huge trouble and have a vast scandal on her name. Just as the Iron Sheets are dragging out and the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) is starting a probe into that. The further revelations only show the sinister side of the cabinet and what they are willing to steal.

The Minister of Karamoja Affairs didn’t do it alone. We have seen the massive reports and the number of high-ranking officials involved in the robbing the state of iron sheets. Nevertheless, in this recent case… the Minister has involved her family in the scheme. Which are taking funds, tenders, and whatnot from the state. This is funds and procured items, which was destined for the ones in need in Karamoja.

They took money that was intended to go to buy goats and in addition they took seeds of maize. Meaning in a place of utter poverty and famine, the Minister took vital life-saving seeds and kept it in her home or relatives’ home. That is evil and not only theft, but possibly lethal to the ones who needs it the most. The ones that are in danger of starvation and the person who is supposed to ensure and implement government projects in the region is stealing directly from it. Instead of helping the ones in need, she was helping herself and her family.

This here is sinister, disgraceful and should be a sackable offense. Secondly, she should answer to the courts and be held liable together with her family. To do this and with such arrogance because she wasn’t afraid of doing it either. It is just modus operandi, and the state usually doesn’t care. That’s why it is so blatant and with no disregard for who this was intended too.

Karamoja is starving and hurting, but others are profiting of their misery. That is clear and the high-ranking officials has found a way of adding additional income to their names. It shouldn’t be this way, but that’s how they choose to represent and be leaders in the Republic. Instead of serving, they are stealing. That’s a vast difference… Peace.Mary

Press Statement: President Museveni assures Ugandans on peaceful elections

President Yoweri Museveni has assured the people of Uganda that the country is peaceful and there will be no problem as Ugandans move towards the 2016 general elections. He, therefore, advised them to calm down and continue with their usual chores. Mr. Museveni, however, said that those who threaten to cause violence will be restrained.

The President was reacting to comments by Ms. Esther Magagga, a lay Christian leader, who said that in the current political environment, some Ugandans seemed to be at odds with one another over subscribing to different Political Parties.

The President, who was accompanied by his wife Mrs. Janet Museveni, today joined other Christians for this year’s Christmas Service that took place at St. Luke Church of Uganda, Nshwere in Kiruhuura district. Rev. Emmanuel Kwesiga led the service.

Turning to the local community, President Museveni strongly warned them against overstocking their farms saying that apart from starving their cattle, it also leaves land bare. He encouraged them to embrace paddocking and plant quality pasture to enable their cattle produce more milk.

Mr. Museveni stressed the importance of household income to ensure quality livelihood in homesteads. He also revealed that the Nshwere road will be worked on in accordance with the Government plan of ensuring good roads throughout the country.

He congratulated Christians of the area upon reaching 50 years since St. Luke Church was established.
The First Lady and Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Hon. Janet Museveni, thanked the people for turning up in large numbers to appreciate God’s blessings in the long journey that they have covered ever since the establishment of their church, what they are today and where God is taking them. She urged Ugandans to love one another. She asked them to support NRM because the Movement promoted unity among the people of Uganda. She also called for reconciliation between people of different political persuasions who may have developed issues between themselves.

Suspension of the nurses from Abim Hospital says: “No open door policy during election, period”.

There are sometimes you do something wise during elections like a public display and speech that makes a difference. We have today seen the release of the letter telling that the NRM-Regime feels victimizes over the pictures and stories released after the FDC and Dr. Kizza Besigye visited the Abim Hospital.

The Nurses that are suspended just did their public duty to address the matter of their working place, they knew that the NRM-Regime and their elections squad wouldn’t take a step into the premises and caring about their working place. This is also a state-run institution who serves the people. And supposed to serve the people, be a place of healing the local community and have service which employee’s standard conditions to secure the health of the local public.

 

Reports from April 2015:

“Operational standards at Abim hospital in Abim district have sparked resentment among various groups of people in and around the district.This follows alleged increase in the number of people dying in the hospital due to poor administration and management of the hospital.Five people reportedly died from the hospital last weekend” (104.7 NENAH FM Karamoja, 21.04.2015).

Later in April:

“Abim Hospital!!! Medical and support staff at the above hospital have laid down their tools, others have resigned due to non payment of 4months salary! Someone In The Office Of CAO is messing up service delivery to the local populace!” (Karamoja Development Forum, 29.04.2015).

There is surely some missing money for not only equipment, but also ghosted monies that were supposed to go the hospital. This is looking worse for the NRM-Regime, the more I dig! But here is the letter everybody is talking about:

If you wouldn’t believe where the shattered hospital we’re there been reports of embezzled funds that could have built and reshaped the structures and equipment of the hospital. Just take a look!

Statement from Moses Byamugisha today:

“The Abim district CAO Mr Nandala Moses Kaziba who wants to dismiss the nurses over Besigye visit to Abim hospital told Public Accounts Committee sometime back that vouchers for shs900m he embezzled were eaten by termites”.

Some more statements:

Former reports on the Abim Hospital:

“Besigye who was on his campaign trail in the area last week promised to have the entire health care system in Uganda overhauled once elected president. Now according to the Resident District Commissioner Samuel Mpimbaza Hashaka, Sh700 million has already been disbursed to facilitate renovation of this hospital. He explains that the contract has been awarded to Pearl Globe Engineering Limited and the renovation is envisaged to be complete by June next year. After renovation, the hospital is expected to have an average capacity of 1,400 for out patients and 120 admissions” (RadioCity 97FM, 09.12.2015).

What Dr. Kizza Besigye wrote on 5^th December after the visit to the hospital:

“I would like to thank the people of Abim for welcoming us. Today while on the campaign trail we took some time off to visit Abim Hospital, the patients there just like in other districts live due to the mercy of God, a small medical team that is not paid well and paid on time is not motivated to work extra hours when they are needed. What we witnessed in Abim Hospital is a pure brain drain. An FDC led government believes in investing in our human capital and our pledge includes paying our medical workers well and on time”.

We can just see through the pictures and the stories coming out that the NRM isn’t looking good on this after 30 years of their rule. And that in the middle of their lovely funky wonderful stories that makes Mzee looks spotless.

The visit and stories from Abim Hospital is different than the beautiful wished stories from the NRM. Like the ones they had with the Gig Song and Bebe Cool fooling himself around on the road talking about the development and steady progress of NRM. But with the last action the Hoe Project and little goodwill they still carry dwindles even more. The nurses being suspended is just a blunt move from a regime losing grips on reality. What is next? What is the next move from the greatness and stature of the State?

FDC passed by and got real stories about the situation. They didn’t misuse it or put the people of the hospital in a bad place, it became a essential example of the neglect of the NRM-Regime and their systematic exploit of government institution instead of actually offering the citizens the services they need. And that hurts the citizens first and secondly the NRM has neglected to provide the service the citizens needed. This has been proven by statements and reports from last year. Together with the PAC ordeal with Nandala Moses Kaziba has taken money that was supposed to go the hospital. They have already had issues with payment and other money missing.

That the nurses get the stick for getting in the MEDIA is just foolish. Well, Kahinda Otafiire and Tamale Mirundi I am sure has some well put words to drop. Online already TVO has said his peace. FDC has gotten brownie points and the NRM has lost the media-war…

Peace.